Valium for fear of flying ?

[mabel12345]

I’ve always been scared of flying and I think it recently got worse. I always self medicated with alcohol and usually had way too much ending up being embarrassing 🤦🏼‍♀️ I recently had a baby and I can’t drink while flying anymore so I’m planning to ring my GP and ask for Valium. Has anyone got any experience with flying on Valium? I’m going to add that I am scared of crashing not claustrophobic or anything else, will it still help?

I did when I flew from England to Australia (and back) I Slept a lot of the time so it was great! My friend got them for all 4 of us, from his doctor. Otherwise I'd take phenegan which you can get over the counter - it's an anti histamine with a side affect of making you sleepy.

I take diazepam for when I have a fit (epilepsy) and for my MRI's. 2mg which work quickly (for me).

Is another adult travelling with you?
I take Valium when I need more serious dental work and it works a treat but it leaves me completely incapable - my DH has to collect me, get me onto the bus and stop me from walking into the road.

Shit just lost v long post!!
OP i take Valium for fear of flying and never have had any problems. I have a DD. Frequently travel long haul when covid allows as all my family live abroad. Here are my top tips from experience:

1. Yes will affect everyone differently. Like a PP said small amounts don’t do shit for me either. I take 10mg on empty stomach before getting on plane and top up if needed early in flight when they bring a drink before meal or with meal as they seem to be doing now to cut corners … (I wait 15 mins to eat and as it’s usually as hot as the sun tis no bother) It has long half life in body and that should sort you out for entire flight. I’ve never felt shit too groggy or Valium hangover after. But everyone’s different…Speaking of drink a TINY amount of alcohol helps relax you even further and the Valium to kick in. TINY AMOUNT. More is dangerous.

1. Empty stomach and it will kick in quickly but this is important : only when in position at the gate so if it makes you feel sleepy or weird you’re not struggling through security or looking for gate. Get ready, get in position and most of all GET ORGANISED.

1. Have everything in same easily findable places in your hand luggage. Because it might make you feel forgetful or out of it. Passport and boarding passes obviously but get your hand luggage super organised - use packing cubes. Things you need on the flight easily accessible - wipes; nappies; DC change of clothes; snacks; book; your stuff. DO NOT keep going back and fiddling with and repacking your hand luggage even if you’re nervous!

My DD is 3.5 now so fine to just sit next to me watching a movie … but last flight the little darling wet herself anyway. No bother as simply stood up got dry clothes changed her in seat, (plastic seat thank god) wet clothes in plastic bag, away done. Sit back down again relax all ok.

1. There is NOTHING a wrong with asking a GP for something very short term to help a very real anxiety issue. Let’s spare the moralising. BUT many GPs are indeed reluctant to prescribe and I was actually told by one they’re not allowed to prescribe it for fear of flying any more. I don’t know if that’s an area thing. Tell your GP how much the issue affects you don’t hold back. But if your GP won’t prescribe a private GP likely will - this is pretty easy so don’t be put off. Otherwise beg borrow or steal! I couldn’t fly without it and it’s also had a good knock-on effect on my family & everyone around me as my fear made me so tense, stressed, and weird in airports.

Good luck OP

And yes, easier if another adult travelling with you but anyone saying you won’t be able to look after a baby is talking bollocks. I flew alone frequently and my DC was FINE and I was perfectly capable. Esoecually if you can get a bassinet if it’s a long haul flight?? Baby contained … and likely asleep. It’s not crack or heroin. Yes everyone is very different in how they react to drugs … but if you take a small dose and see how you feel you can of course look after your own child. we look after babies when suffering from sleep deprivation do we not? That has a similar effect on the body as drunk driving!

All these moralising posters who say you will be looping the loop and incapable of looking after your own child I’m sure never touch a drop of alcohol when looking after their own DC

@BankingOnChange

This is not what the NHS is for. Please go to a private GP for this

Yes, how ridiculous to approach an NHS GP for anxiety treatment. They should all go private along with all the other pesky people bothering NHS GP's with their MH issues.

It is totally inappropriate to ask for an addictive substance to be prescribed for the purposes of travel. This is not a good use of NHS resources. Very little travel medicine is free on the NHS and this should not be an exception. Someone else has already said that most GPs won't prescribe it anyway. OP, go to a private GP please

Valium is diazepam? I also have this prescribed - a very low dose (I think it's 2 mg). When I first started taking it more than 15 years ago I used to take a course of
tablets when leaving home and a couple more when boarding . I only take one now - and managed to cope with a very bumpy landing a couple of weeks back .

My DS was quite young when I first had this prescribed - would never have said I wasn't in a position to have looked after him . I would not have driven though . It just makes you feel a bit calmer during the flight and I've never had long lasting side effects. The only time it's particularly made me feel drowsy was after getting up at 3 am after two hours sleep- so that was understandable.

Nice guidelines state that diazepam can be prescribed for anxiety and fear of flying causes huge anxiety so those suggesting the op ought to go private are being pretty high handed. How is anxiety that someone may suffer due to say, stress in their life, more worthy than someone else suffering anxiety leading up to a holiday knowing how scared they will feel on a plane.

@shinynewapple22

Valium is diazepam? I also have this prescribed - a very low dose (I think it's 2 mg). When I first started taking it more than 15 years ago I used to take a course of tablets when leaving home and a couple more when boarding . I only take one now - and managed to cope with a very bumpy landing a couple of weeks back .

My DS was quite young when I first had this prescribed - would never have said I wasn't in a position to have looked after him . I would not have driven though . It just makes you feel a bit calmer during the flight and I've never had long lasting side effects. The only time it's particularly made me feel drowsy was after getting up at 3 am after two hours sleep- so that was understandable.

This was meant to say I used to take a couple of tablets when leaving home - not a whole course !!

Very little travel medicine is free on the NHS and this should not be an exception.

Don’t you have to pay for your prescriptions?

Nothing is free on the NHS, taxpayers are funding it!

Ironically, I’ve had private prescriptions for Valium and a prescription of 30 x 10mg Valium costs about 40pence. So when I get a NHS GP prescription of 10 Valium and pay £9.35, that’s an insane markup to cost ratio.

Our GP said it’s no problem helping people with flight anxiety, it’s a common problem.

Hypnosis worked for me. It lasted approx 3 years before I need to return to be redone!

They got to the root cause with the friend who suggested it to me and cured him completely , mine was a bit more tricky to find as I only have two sessions each time.

No Dr should be prescribing this for travel. They will be liable if something goes wrong and you are unable to get out of the plane in an emergency (and indeed you could impede others)

If your airline finds out you have taken this medication, you will find the crew may refuse you boarding.

@Namechange671

Nice guidelines state that diazepam can be prescribed for anxiety and fear of flying causes huge anxiety so those suggesting the op ought to go private are being pretty high handed. How is anxiety that someone may suffer due to say, stress in their life, more worthy than someone else suffering anxiety leading up to a holiday knowing how scared they will feel on a plane.

Its not about 'more worthy' its about it being appropriate. Daily anxiety managed with medication is titred to specific doses which give a given effect which can be observed over time and adjusted. Valium used as described is not great- the dosage may be too much or too little, the user may be dehydrated or may drink alcohol- all effect the outcome. As people say above it could affect your ability to react in an emergency or properly care for your child. The gold standard treatment for situational.anxiety which is what flying is- is to do CBT.

@mowly77

Shit just lost v long post!! OP i take Valium for fear of flying and never have had any problems. I have a DD. Frequently travel long haul when covid allows as all my family live abroad. Here are my top tips from experience:

1. Yes will affect everyone differently. Like a PP said small amounts don’t do shit for me either. I take 10mg on empty stomach before getting on plane and top up if needed early in flight when they bring a drink before meal or with meal as they seem to be doing now to cut corners … (I wait 15 mins to eat and as it’s usually as hot as the sun tis no bother) It has long half life in body and that should sort you out for entire flight. I’ve never felt shit too groggy or Valium hangover after. But everyone’s different…Speaking of drink a TINY amount of alcohol helps relax you even further and the Valium to kick in. TINY AMOUNT. More is dangerous.

1. Empty stomach and it will kick in quickly but this is important : only when in position at the gate so if it makes you feel sleepy or weird you’re not struggling through security or looking for gate. Get ready, get in position and most of all GET ORGANISED.

1. Have everything in same easily findable places in your hand luggage. Because it might make you feel forgetful or out of it. Passport and boarding passes obviously but get your hand luggage super organised - use packing cubes. Things you need on the flight easily accessible - wipes; nappies; DC change of clothes; snacks; book; your stuff. DO NOT keep going back and fiddling with and repacking your hand luggage even if you’re nervous!

My DD is 3.5 now so fine to just sit next to me watching a movie … but last flight the little darling wet herself anyway. No bother as simply stood up got dry clothes changed her in seat, (plastic seat thank god) wet clothes in plastic bag, away done. Sit back down again relax all ok.

1. There is NOTHING a wrong with asking a GP for something very short term to help a very real anxiety issue. Let’s spare the moralising. BUT many GPs are indeed reluctant to prescribe and I was actually told by one they’re not allowed to prescribe it for fear of flying any more. I don’t know if that’s an area thing. Tell your GP how much the issue affects you don’t hold back. But if your GP won’t prescribe a private GP likely will - this is pretty easy so don’t be put off. Otherwise beg borrow or steal! I couldn’t fly without it and it’s also had a good knock-on effect on my family & everyone around me as my fear made me so tense, stressed, and weird in airports.

Good luck OP

This is crazy advice. So, you can find out on the flight how it affects you??? Take a little drink also?? Have an empty stomach so the absorbtion is madly magnified?? If you were on valium like this not on a flight and had a child social services would be involved.

Get some Hypnotherapy, it sorted my husband in 3 sessions and he now fly's regularly with absolutely no issues.

I'm uncomfortable flying, verging on fear. I never drink or would take medication (other than travel sickness tablets) because if there's an emergency I want to be able to function! I'd be terrified I'd need to evacuate in some way and be a useless zombie getting in everyone's way and unable to help myself.

If your airline finds out you have taken this medication, you will find the crew may refuse you boarding.

Bloody hell, I’ve seen people zonked off their heads on flights, popping pills left, right, and centre and no flight crew have ever said a thing.

If you were on valium like this not on a flight and had a child social services would be involved.

This is a bit over the top, isn’t it? A few Valium on a flight isn’t any worse than having a few glasses of wine as far as mental capacity to care for a child.

Daily anxiety managed with medication is titred to specific doses which give a given effect which can be observed over time and adjusted. Valium used as described is not great- the dosage may be too much or too little, the user may be dehydrated or may drink alcohol- all effect the outcome.

What does one have to do with the other - there is no way I would go on a daily anxiety medication to manage a few long haul flights and a few shorter flights a year - I would have been on anti-anxiety medication for over 20+ years. Valium is perfect for these situational anxieties as one dose can alleviate the anxiety, provide a confirming experience for the passenger, and they can get on with their trip.

Many long haul frequent fliers I know take sleeping tablets, hypnotics, for flights, which can impair functioning far more than valium.

I think you should try counselling/CBT. I used to be claustrophobic. If I had taken Valium every time... well you see where I'm going. I had 6 sessions with a counsellor and am totally cured.

I took Valium on a flight once. I woke up on an empty plane on a Siberian airfield where th plane had been diverted due to bad weather. I had no Russian visa as was not expecting to be there and had missed all the announcements and had cleaners who didn’t speak English cleaning the plane around me. It was an idiotic situation to be in. Do not take it if you don’t have another adult with you. And try cognitive hypnotherapy to deal with the root cause first. Masking symptoms with pills isn’t always a great idea.

If your airline finds out you have taken this medication, you will find the crew may refuse you boarding.

Really?

I’d second what @74MyrnaHay said upthread - there will be a few nervous passengers on every flight and it’s a given these days a few of those may have taken medication to cope…

As long as the OP arrives at at check-in/at the aircraft door in a fit state to fly there’s no problem.

I

I've taken both Valium and Ativan (Lorazepam) for flying - and the second one leaves your system much more quickly.

Things that haven't worked for my anxiety:

Propranalol, sertraline, citalopram, fluoexetine, counselling, psychotherapy, hypnosis, CBT, exercise, mindfulness, meditation

Things that have worked:

Valium

I get prescribed 28 tablets a year and have it as and when I need it, which is maybe twice a month at most.

If you were on valium like this not on a flight and had a child social services would be involved.

I think you seriously over estimate social services here, there are children out there living with heroin addicted parents, SS are not likely to give a flying fuck about someone popping a vally on an empty stomach